AstraZeneca Hit With First Nexium Kidney Failure Lawsuit

Drug maker AstraZeneca has been named in the first Nexium lawsuit involving the drug’s alleged association with kidney failure. The filing follows the recent publication of two studies that linked long-term use of proton pump inhibitors to the development of chronic kidney disease and renal failure.

The new case was filed on May 3rd in U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois. According to the complaint, the Plaintiff began taking Nexium in 2006. He was later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease that eventually progressed to full-blown kidney failure. To save his life, the plaintiff was forced to undergo a kidney transplant.

“[AstraZeneca] had notice of serious adverse health outcomes through case reports, clinical studies and post-market surveillance,” the complaint states. “Specifically, Defendants had received numerous case reports of kidney injuries in patients that had ingested Nexium by as early as 2004. These reports of numerous kidney injuries put Defendants on notice as to the excessive risks of kidney injuries related to the use of Nexium.”

The lawsuit charges AstraZeneca with common law fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, product liability, negligent misrepresentation, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Nexium Side Effects

It is estimated that some 15 million Americans have been prescribed Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor. However, a recent study suggests that 25% to 70% of those prescriptions were given without appropriate indication that they were necessary. This is concerning, as these drugs have been linked to a number of serious side effects, including fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine; low magnesium levels; B12 deficiency; and a serious kidney injury called acute interstitial nephritis.

In January, research published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggested that patients taking Nexium and similar heartburn drugs may face a 50% higher kidney disease risk when compared to non-users. A study that appeared last month in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology also found an increased risk of kidney failure and chronic kidney disease associated with long-term use of Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors.

Other recent studies have suggested that extended use of proton pump inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk of heart attack and dementia.

Learn More about Filing a Nexium Lawsuit

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is offering free legal reviews to patients who allegedly developed serious kidney complications due to their use of Nexium or another proton pump inhibitor. To learn more, please call (888) 994-8177.

Free Case EvalutionHave you or a loved one developed kidney issuesafter taking Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid?